CHAPTER 323: CHANGE WAS INEVITABLE

The next morning, Katelyn paid a visit to her parents. Still oblivious to what had been unfolding between Amelie and Gabriel, she couldn’t shake the confusion gnawing at her. Why had so many family members suddenly gathered at the estate?

"Did you all come here just to see Amelie?" Katelyn finally asked with curiosity.

"Kind of," Raidan admitted after a pause. His gaze settled on her, brows knitting together. "But tell me how’s work treating you? Sage’s father mentioned you’d been unwell. What happened? How did you fall sick?"

Katelyn let out a faint sigh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Dad, I wasn’t really sick. Just... exhausted from work. It felt like I was, but it wasn’t anything serious."

"You should really come up with better excuses, ones that are at least a little convincing, don’t you think?" Gabriel’s voice cut in as he entered the living room, a steaming mug of coffee in his hand.

"I’m not making excuses," Katelyn shot back defensively, her eyes narrowing.

Gabriel smirked faintly, lowering himself into the empty sofa chair across from her. "Your face says otherwise. Dad, don’t fall for her lies."

Katelyn’s frown deepened. "Why are you doing this, Brother?"

"Gabriel, that’s enough," Raidan intervened, his voice steady but firm. "Don’t tease your sister." Turning his gaze toward Katelyn, he added, "Kate, your mother mentioned you wanted to speak with us. What was it you wanted to say?"

"Dad..." Katelyn hesitated, then drew in a breath. "I don’t want to marry Sage. I don’t want to continue with the arrangement you and Mother set up for us."

Raidan’s expression hardened slightly, though his tone remained composed. "And why is that?"

"Because I don’t like him," Katelyn said plainly, her voice carrying a trace of frustration.

Raidan leaned back, studying her with steady eyes. "That may change. Feelings don’t always come first, they grow gradually. That’s why both families agreed to give you time with Sage, to let you know him better. He’s a good man, Katelyn. A decent one. You’ll see that if you allow yourself to."

"A decent man?" Katelyn let out a disbelieving chuckle, her lips curling in disdain. "He’s far from decent," she mumbled under her breath.

Gabriel caught the edge in her tone and instantly understood what she meant, but he remained silent. He wanted to see how his sister would handle this herself. Just then, he sensed Karmen’s presence nearby, recalling he wanted to talk to him last night.

Excusing himself, he walked out of the living room.

"What was that?" Raidan sternly asked. "Don’t mumble, Kate. Speak clearly."

Katelyn lifted her chin, her eyes meeting her father’s. "Dad, you’ve always supported me in everything I wanted. So why not now? Why can’t you just tell Sage’s family to give up their hopes? I don’t want to be with him."

Raidan’s expression darkened. "Kate, it isn’t that simple. I gave my word to William Nightshade long ago. During the war, he risked his life to save me without hesitation. I was so moved by his loyalty that I swore, if I ever had a daughter, she would marry his son. That promise still binds me. Your mother, too, considered Sage only because of that vow and also for his good nature."

Silence stretched across the room until Dominick finally spoke. "But if Kate doesn’t want Sage, forcing her into the bond will only bring misery. A mating should never begin with chains."

"That’s why we’ve given her time," Raidan reasoned. "She doesn’t have to mate with Sage tomorrow."

Katelyn turned her gaze toward her mother. "Mom, why don’t you say something?"

Mabel hesitated before speaking to Raidan, her voice unusually soft. "Dear, perhaps you should speak to your father’s friend yourself. Maybe William will release you from this promise. When our daughter is so against it, then let it be."

Her words struck the room like an unexpected wave. None of them had anticipated such a shift from her, yet after all that had happened with Gabriel, perhaps this change was inevitable.

Katelyn’s lips curved into a relieved smile. For once, her mother had taken her side.

"Fine," Raidan conceded at last, though reluctance lingered in his voice. "I will talk to William. But understand, Kate, it won’t be easy. An Alpha King going back on his word... it will not reflect well."

"If our sister can’t find happiness with a man she doesn’t choose, then it isn’t right to bind her to such a vow," Casaio interjected. Then he added thoughtfully, "Besides, isn’t Sage a close friend of Gabriel’s? If Kate asked him, Gabriel might help. Sage could even speak with his own father."

Katelyn’s eyes widened. "What? Brother Gabriel is friends with Sage?" she exclaimed in disbelief. Her voice dropped to a stunned murmur. "I... I didn’t know."

"Gabriel must have kept that little detail to himself on purpose," Dominick remarked with a knowing smirk.

"Dad, please," Katelyn said sweetly, clasping her hands together as she looked at Raidan. "Do anything you can to convince Sage’s father. I know you will because you’re the best father in the whole world."

Her words, paired with her radiant smile, drew laughter from everyone present. The Alpha King, feared by many, was undeniably soft when it came to his daughter.

"Don’t worry," Raidan assured her with a small smile tugging at his lips. "I’ll speak with William today."

"Thank you, Dad!" Katelyn’s joy was palpable. Relief washed over her, lightening the weight that had been pressing on her shoulders. She was no longer tied down to Sage, her heart finally felt free.

’Now, I just need to focus on becoming the woman Karmen truly desires,’ she resolved inwardly. ’Amelie was right. I can’t force my feelings onto him. I have to earn his heart, step by step. I have to change... and work for it.’

"Where did Gabriel go?" Raidan asked.

"He has gone to the garden. Perhaps for a walk with Madam," Albus replied.

"Your Majesty, I’ve something important to inform you," Ravenna announced as she finally entered the living room.